Kornimate/medical-research-clean huggingface dataset:
mindfulness-based art therapy for cancer patients

Conditions: Cancer

Summary: the purpose of this study is to determine whether cancer patients who receive the mindfulness-based art therapy (mbat) program demonstrate improvement in health-related quality of life, a reduction in stress-related symptoms, and enhanced coping responses.

psychosocial interventions, especially supportive-expressive group therapies, have been associated with significant improvements in health status, quality of life and coping behaviors, in patients with cancer. the purpose of the proposed pilot research study is to investigate a newly developed group therapy for cancer patients, mbat. this proposed, randomized, controlled study follows a successful preliminary investigation of mbat conducted at thomas jefferson university hospital. mbat integrates known benefits of art therapy, group therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. each of these fundamentally different modalities has documented usefulness in the treatment of cancer patients. the multi-modal approach is designed to enhance both the supportive and expressive aspects of the group experience. the study will be done with 96 patients who have a variety of cancer types. participants will be matched for age and assigned randomly to either the mbat experimental group or a non-intervention control group. both groups will continue to receive their usual oncologic/medical care. the mbat program consists of eight weekly meetings of two and one half-hours in length. at the end of the eight weeks, participants in the control group will be crossed over to the experimental intervention arm for an additional eight weeks. participants will be assessed pre- and post-intervention on measures of health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and coping, using standardized outcome instruments (sf-36, scl-90-r and cope). our long-term goal is to collect sufficient data to determine the overall efficacy of this promising intervention and to identify which patients are particularly likely to benefit from mbat.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion: * diagnosis of cancer or cancer recurrence within the past 2 years. * able to tolerate 8 weekly groups, 2 1/2 hours in length exclusion: * less than 4 months from original or recurrent diagnosis or beyond 2 years * physically unable to attend groups * non-stabilized major mental disorder * children * comprehension of written and spoken english at a level of less than 4th grade.

Keywords: alternative medicine art cancer combination cancer therapy creative-expression group therapy holistic human therapy evaluation meditation neoplasm /cancer chemotherapy coping gender difference outcomes research psychological aspect of cancer psychological stressor quality of life racial /ethnic difference stress management support behavioral /social science research patient oriented research
urethral stricture after transurethral resection of the prostate/bladder: a prospective study of risk factors

Conditions: Urethral Stricture, Male; Hormone Deficiency; Fibrosis

Summary: there is currently no prognostic or predictive risk marker for this urethral stricture disease. the most conservative standard treatment for urethral stricture (internal urethrotomy) has a very high recurrence rate (greater than 75%) and, on many occasions, reconstructive urologists have to choose within a great variety of further complex interventions. knowing risk and predictive markers of this disease could help to optimize both the need and the approach for these surgeries and may offer a more individualized management to patients.

the pathophysiological mechanisms that influence the development of urethral stricture are not established. in developed countries, the most common etiology of urethral stricture is idiopathic (41%) followed by iatrogenic (35%). serum testosterone is important in urethral development, in the integrity of the corpora cavernosa and has been shown to play a fundamental role in the development of genital structures. recently, hypoandrogenism (ha) has been associated with a decrease in urethral androgen receptors and periurethral vascularization. furthermore, low serum testosterone levels appear to be implicated in an increased risk of urethral atrophy. in recent years it has been proven that coagulation, in addition to influencing the formation of the provisional matrix, participates in mechanisms of tissue injury through the activation of pars. as a result, the coagulation cascade directly influences several key aspects of the wound healing response, from platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction, but also inflammation and scar formation. although it is strictly regulated under normal conditions, an imbalance in favor of a procoagulant state as occurs in many pathologies of other organs (liver, lung, kidney) has the potential to deregulate inflammatory and tissue repair mechanisms and culminate in fibrosis. in general, it is accepted that the probability of developing a urethral stricture after endoscopic treatment is around 2-10% of cases. however, this complication has never been studied in depth and the true incidence of urethral stricture, and its consequences in quality of life, after a transurethral procedure is unknown. the aim of this study is to analyze the potential role of serum hormonal status and coagulation disorders as risk factors for the development of urethral stricture after transurethral surgery.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate or bladder (tur p/b) at our department. exclusion criteria: * patients not giving their informed consent * patients with urethral catheter at the moment of tur p/b * patients with any type of urethral stricture at the moment of tur p/b * patients under hormonal treatments (testosterone, thyroxine...) 1 year before the tur p/b. * patients with already known coagulation disorders or undergoing anticoagulation treatments at the moment of the blood test.
hormonal contributors to covid-19 infection (cov-endo)

Conditions: COVID-19 Pandemic; Endocrine System Diseases

Summary: the goal of this observational study is to measure the changes in the parameters of endocrine function and tissue sensitivity to hormones induced by sars-cov-2 infection. the main questions it aims to answer are: * does sars-cov-2 infection causes endocrine dysfunctions? * does the treatment of the underlying endocrine dysfunctions, improves the clinical outcome or the occurrence of late onset complications of sars-cov-2 infection? * are patients with previously known endocrine diseases more fragile in case of sars-cov-2 infection? participants will undergo blood testing and a physical examination at admission, during hospitalization at discharge and 3 and 6 moths after discharge they results will be compared to those of patients admitted for other reasons in order to assess whether the prevalence of endocrine dysfunctions is increased compared with controls.

the objectives of the study are the following: primary objectives: 1. to measure endocrine function tests in patients affected by covid-19, in order to evaluate whether sars-cov-2 causes endocrine alterations and whether endocrine diseases/dysfunctions correlate with the severity of sars-cov-2 infection and mortality. 2. to evaluate whether genetic variants in the sex-steroid or vitamin d (vdr) nuclear receptors or ace are more prevalent in patients with sars-cov-2 infection than controls. 3. to evaluate whether vitamin d supplementation in subjects with vitamin d deficiency may influence the outcome of sars-cov-2 infection 4. to correlate the influence of overweight/obesity/neck circumference with the evolution of sars-cov-2 infection secondary objectives: correlate the endocrine function tests with patients' age, disease's outcome, markers of inflammation. the identification of endocrine conditions associated with a worse outcome of sars-cov-2 infection, would identify significant risk factors to be reduced/prevented in these patients. for example, if endocrine patients will result more fragile in case of infection, we could systematically screen some parameters and early treat associated defects in order improve the outcome of sars-cov-2 infection.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * nasal swab positive for sars-cov-2 * moderate to severe respiratory dysfunction due to covid-19, requiring hospitalization. exclusion criteria: * history of thyroid diseases before admission * history of adrenal diseases * history of hypogonadism (primary/secondary) * history of pituitary diseases
study evaluating the benefit of dry needling for patients with neck pain

Conditions: Neck Pain

Summary: the purpose of this study is to determine whether individuals with neck pain will respond favorably to a program of manual therapy, directed at the cervical and thoracic spine (including thrust manipulation), and exercise, in combination with dry needling, as compared to manual therapy, directed to the cervical and thoracic spine (including thrust manipulation), and an exercise program alone.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. age between 18-60 years old 2. primary complaint of neck pain 3. restricted cervical extension/and or cervical rotation rom 4. neck disability index \> 20 points exclusion criteria: 1. red flags noted in the patient's neck medical screening questionnaire (i.e. tumor, fracture, metabolic diseases, ra, osteoporosis, prolonged history of steroid use, symptoms of vertebrobasilary insufficiency, pregnancy, cervical spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity symptoms etc. 2. use of blood thinners 3. history of whiplash injury within the past six weeks 4. evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive hoffman's and/or babinski reflexes), etc. 5. two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following: * muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity * diminished upper extremity muscle stretch reflex (biceps brachii, brachioradialis, or triceps) * diminished or absent sensation to pinprick in any upper extremity dermatome 6. prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine 7. chiropractic, physical therapy, or acupuncture treatment for their neck pain in the last 12-months 8. workers compensation or pending legal action regarding their headaches 9. insufficient english language skills to complete all questionnaires 10. inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule

Keywords: neck pain dry needling manual therapy manipulation
physiology of gerd and treatment response

Conditions: GERD

Summary: this study is designed to assess the physiologic and behavioral mechanisms associated with enhanced medication effects in adult patients with functional gerd-related symptoms.

subjects will complete questionnaires regarding their gerd-related symptoms and have a visit with a study clinician regarding their symptoms. heart rate variability and galvanic skin response will be measured in the patient-provider dyads and the visits video recorded. subjects will receive a two-month supply of amitriptyline (10 mg/day), along with instructions for taking it. subjects will complete a daily gerd symptom diary during the first and eighth weeks of the study. at the end of the 8-week observation period, subjects will complete follow-up measures of gerd symptom severity and quality of life.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * adults ages 24-64 years old * functional heartburn (defined as \<4% of time with reflux on 24 hour ph manometry) symptoms 3 or more days per week with an average daily symptom severity of 3 or more on a 7-day baseline symptom diary * english language proficiency * willingness to be videotaped and connected to physiologic monitoring devices during the visit * willingness to take amitriptyline daily for 8 weeks following study visit 1 exclusion criteria: * diagnosis of crohn's disease, systemic sclerosis, known active ulcer disease, gastric cancer, or untreated/active barrett's esophagitis based on subject self-report and/or medical record review * heavy alcohol use (\> 6 drinks/week for women and \> 13 drinks/week for men) based on subject self-report * pregnant, attempting to become pregnant, or breast-feeding * dementia or significant memory difficulties as determined by the study team and medical record review * severe, unstable psychiatric disease based on subject self-report, study team determination, and/or medical record review * bipolar disorder, concurrent treatment with a ssri or another antidepressant that interacts with tricyclic antidepressants * prolonged qtc or severe heart disease * history of seizure disorder * severe liver impairment - e.g., cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis * currently taking a tricyclic antidepressant, allergy to tricyclic antidepressants, or another medical contraindication to taking amitriptyline or related medications * greater than 15 doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) within the prior 30 days (aspirin ≤ 325 mg daily permitted) or ongoing nsaid use at a level deemed likely to interfere with the study * failure to complete the baseline symptom diary for at least 6 of 7 days * change in gerd treatment regimen within the last 2 weeks (subjects may use antacids, h2 receptor blockers, and/or proton pump inhibitors as long as they are symptomatic on a stable regimen) * allergy to adhesives * inability to provide informed consent * in the opinion of the investigator, unable to comply with the study protocol or has a condition that would likely interfere with the study
is the use of prolene as sufficient as the use of wire in shouldice surgery to keep the recurrence rate low after one year?

Conditions: Inguinal Hernia

Summary: when conducting the shouldice procedure the 4-layer suture of the transversalis fascia is usually done with prolene worldwide. at the shouldice hospital the wire has originally been used for these augmentation. during the last decade several shouldice surgeons started to use the prolene due to occasional delivery problems of the wire from germany. the 1-year- recurrence rate at the shouldice hospital is 1,15% (mainly wire-use). the published 1-year recurrence rate in europe is 2%. as quality assessment, this project intends to evaluate these two options for suturing (wire vs prolene) in the elective inguinal hernia patient in terms of 1-year recurrence rate. the population of focus will be those who had a primary or secondary inguinal hernia operation at shouldice hospital and the project is estimated to take 3 months.

a. study design a total of 1400 patients (n=700 with wire; n=700 with prolene) who underwent shouldice surgery at shouldice hospital will be contacted by telephone. they will be asked whether a relapse occurred after their surgery. sample size calculation: the 1-year recurrence rate at shouldice hospital is 1.15% (mainly wire use). the published 1-year recurrence rate in europe is 2% \[1-3\]. statistics: non-inferiority: delta for non-inferiority (defined equivalence range) = 1%. total n = 1120 (0% dropout), with 20% dropout: n = 1400.) the same number of patients will be analyzed with regard to shouldice repair due to a first relapse (time period of data extraction 2019-2021). since over 6000 hernias are operated annually, a consecutive data extraction of patients operated in 2021 will be performed.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * adult patients of all sexes who have undergone inguinal hernia surgery in shouldice technique. exclusion criteria: * hernia repair using a mesh

Keywords: hernia, shouldice repair, groin hernia
to compare efficacy and safety of lactulose versus polyethylene glycol for treatment of overt hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotics.

Conditions: Cirrhosis

Summary: all patients presenting to the emergency department of institute of liver and biliary sciences with known cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy with grade ii will be included in the study. the patient will be randomized into one of the two arms of lactulose or polyethylene glycol. the patient on the lactulose arm will be administered 20 to 30 g of lactulose orally or by nasogastric tube (3 or more doses within 24 hours ) or if oral intake was not possible or inadequate. the dose will be repeated to ensure 3-4 loose motions per day. the polyethylene glycol group will get 17 gm of peg (polyethylene glycol) administered orally or via nasogastric tube. peg (polyethylene glycol)will be administered in 3-4 doses in 24 hours to ensure 3-4 loose stools per day.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. documented cirrhosis with any underlying etiology 2. hepatic encephalopathy of grade ii and above 3. 18 to 65 years of age exclusion criteria: 1. acute change in mental status due to a diagnosis other than hepatic encephalopathy 2. patients who have received lactulose as an anticoma measure before enrollment 3. patient who have developed encephalopathy post bleed 4. patients with gut paralysis 5. patients with tense ascites 6. patients with altered sensorium due to organic brain disease. 7. patients with coexistent psychiatric illness that may hamper the proper assessment of hepatic encephalopathy 8. hemodynamic instability obviating vasopressors for resuscitation 9. acute liver failure defined as severe acute liver injury with encephalopathy and international normalized ratio (inr)≥1.5 in a patient without pre-existing liver disease 10. refusal of consent
nomogram control of predictive factors of early withdrawal after gynecologic oncology surgery in the enhanced recovery after surgery (eras) protocol and assessment of practices

Conditions: Gynecological Cancers

Summary: validation of a predictive nomogram of a short hospital stay (less than two days after surgery) on a prospective cohort of patients.

* validation of a predictive nomogram of short-term hospitalization (less than two days after surgery) * analysis of the factors influencing the variations of average length of stay * morbidity analysis of the eras program

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * all patients who had surgery for gynecological cancer under the eras program. exclusion criteria: * none

Keywords: enhanced recovery after surgery gynecologic oncology surgery nomogram control
phase ii trial comparison of 3 vs 4 fractions (brachy-fit).

Conditions: Cervical Cancers

Summary: this is a prospective non-randomized clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility of 3 fraction versus a standard 4 fraction high dose rate brachytherapy regimen in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * histologically documented malignancy of the cervix and planned to receive brachytherapy as part of definitive treatment. * ecog performance status of 0-2 * age ≥ 18 years old. * ability to understand and the willingness to provide written informed consent. exclusion criteria: * contraindication to receiving radiotherapy as determined by treating radiation oncologist. * contraindication to receiving mri. * prior radiation to the pelvis \> 3 months ago * age \< 18 years old. * pregnant or breast-feeding

Keywords: high dose rate brachytherapy
evaluation of a clinical transitional program in autism

Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Summary: clinical trial without drug, randomized: comparison of a specific and integrative clinical protocol for young adults with autism to usual treatment. it will include both low and high-functioning participants.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * asd diagnosis * previous follow-up by child and adolescent psychiatry department at corporació sanitària parc taulí (cspt) exclusion criteria: - living in a disabled residential setting

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder (asd) transition program
right ventricular function in heart failure

Conditions: Assessment of the RV Function in Patients With Heart Faliure

Summary: only a few studies evaluated the rv systolic function in the three categories of hf, regarding the importance of understanding changes in rv function on clinical presentation and outcome; it was essential to understand the prevalence and severity of rv dysfunction among the three groups and the degree of correlation between rv with lv systolic function.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: - adult patients of both gender who have the followiong criteria : (i) symptoms with or without signs of hf (ii) elevated natriuretic peptides (bnp ≥35pg/ ml or nt-probnp≥125pg/ml) (iii) relevant structural heart disease: left ventricle hypertrophy (left ventricular mass index ≥115 g/m2 for males and ≥95 g/m2 for females) or left atrial enlargement (\>34 ml/m2) or diastolic dysfunction (e/e'≥13 and a mean e' septal and lateral wall \<9 cm/s) were included. then patients were classified according to ef into hfpef\>50%, hfref\ 40% and \<50% exclusion criteria: patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease history of pulmonary embolism patients with respiratory failure

Keywords: rv systolic function hfpef hfmref hfref
the cmcpcth research in chinese children

Conditions: Tonsillectomy; Child; Postoperative Hemorrhage

Summary: to obtain hemorrhage rate after coblation tonsillectomy, and to investigate risk factors of hemorrhage after coblation tonsillectomy in children.

this study is a prospective and multi-centre trail in china. it intends to enroll 25000 patients underwent coblation tonsillectomy in 22 clinical centers in china. hemorrhage rate and risk factors of hemorrhage after coblation tonsillectomy will be investigated through questionnaires.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. under 18 years old; 2. clear indications for tonsill surgery; 3. no clear contraindications for tonsill surgery; 4. parents of the children patients accept surgical treatment; 5. parents of the children patients able to cooperate with the visit and follow-up. exclusion criteria: 1. children patients with a history of adenoid or tonsillectomy surgery; 2. associated with refractory bleeding diseases; 3. combined with cleft palate; 4. down syndrome, prader-willi syndrome (pws) or other chromosomal abnormalities; 5. neuromuscular diseases (including cerebral palsy); 6. other diseases that affect physical health, such as severe heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, etc; 7. contraindications to surgery and anesthesia; 8. unable to obtain informed consent.

Keywords: tonsillectomy child postoperative hemorrhage low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation